"It's gonna be a pipeline to the NFL": Former NFL coach drops his verdict on Bill Belichick's UNC move while issuing alert for NC State game

Legendary coach Bill Belichick signed a five-year, $50 million contract to become the new North Carolina Tar Heels coach earlier this week. The announcement on Wednesday has drawn much attention in the college football world.

On NFL Today on Sunday, former NFL coach Bill Cowher talked about the signing and what he thinks Bill Belichick will bring.

"Well, I think the one thing with Bill Belichick is he's a football coach," Cowher said. "He did not want to sit out another year and he wasn't going to get another opportunity in maybe the NFL and he needed to make a decision on college."

"I just think the fact that once he made it, while he was out this year, he was at the college scene. His son was coaching at Washington, he was doing GameDay. I think he was enthralled into that situation, and I think he'll be good for the game."

Cowher discussed how Bill Belichick will make the Tar Heels a pipeline to the NFL. He said he would root for Belichick, except when they play his alma mater, NC State.

"You talk about what he brings to it. I learned two things from Bill Belichick about humility and respect for the game," Cowher said. "Humilty and respect are two things I think young college football players will like. It's gonna be a pipeline to the NFL. I hope he stays. He stated he didn't come to leave and I wish them nothing but the best, except when they play NC State."

Bill Belichick will begin his first college football coaching job in 2025

With Belichick signing his contract with the North Carolina Tar Heels, he is coaching a college football team for the first time. Despite having nearly 50 years of professional coaching experience, he has never coached at the college level. Instead, he has spent the entirety of his career in the NFL.

Belichick started his career in 1975, shortly after graduating from university. He spent several years as an assistant coach before getting his first head coaching opportunity with the Cleveland Browns in 1991. He spent five seasons with them before he was fired.

Belichick would then become an assistant coach for a few years before he got his opportunity as the New England Patriots head coach in 2000. He would coach them until mutually parting ways with the team in 2023 after winning six Super Bowls.